McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks provides a beautiful view, friendly service, and superb wines. We were warmly greeted upon walking in the door and we felt as if we could stay for hours. They offer wines from sweet whites to dry reds and of course our favorite, their signature semi-sweet Hard Apple Cider wine. If you have not experienced McRitchie Winery and Cider Works, make a trip out. No matter the weather, you will enjoy it.

Jones von Drehle is an experience like no other. When approaching the vineyard, the view is astonishing. As you enter the building, you are filled with awe at the elegance of the tasting room. Such friendly service is present, and you can simply relax while tasting the outstanding wine. A tour of the winery is a necessity, as you will learn all of the steps that go into making this exceptional wine. Visiting Jones von Drehle is something that every person must do. I can assure that you will not be disappointed.

Elkin Antiques and Collectibles is a place that offers an experience like no other. It includes a great variety of items that you don’t see every day. As I walked through the doors, I was struck with amazement at the vast assortment of items. It is a very colorful store, and is easily accessible with spacious aisles. Tables, glass bottles, jewelry, dolls, chairs, books, coins, sewing machines, and much more from years ago fill the shelves of this store. Elkin Antiques is about 4,000 square feet of true antiques, each with its own story. This place is ever-changing, with items being brought in weekly. You’re sure to find something that speaks to you when you visit!

The vibrant colors, friendly staff &amp; a great feel. There are so many things to enjoy here at the Fairfield Inn &amp; Suites.

There is a mineral pool and hot tub, a great workout room, breakfast like no other, relaxing patio where you can chill with your friends, family or just by yourself with snacks, soda, beer or wines (from local wineries).

The rooms are large and the beds well you need to try it out for yourself. It’s almost like a cloud (I can only imagine).

If you are just passing through you may decide to stay another night here. There are many things to do in Elkin and surrounding area and knowledgeable staff will help you with your itinerary…you are close to wineries, zip line, mountains to hike, historic downtown, great places to eat…….

There are 19 great wines to pick from. You have whites, reds, sweets, dry, semi dry and fun merchandise that is hard to pass up.

My fun experience started unexpectedly. I just wanted to stop in and take a video and what do you know, I am tasting the wine.

I will briefly go over them with you because, well they crack me up. Now before I begin the names are funny which make great gifts but the wine is so good. Also these wines are made from kits which are sold there as well.

These are the wines as of the date of this blog: Tasting of ALL wines with their glass is only $5.00.

One great find in Historic Downtown Elkin is a yummy Chocolate Shop. Located at 225 W Main Street you will see the blue awning welcoming you in.

Once I stepped inside I knew that I wouldn’t leave empty handed. Every piece of gourmet chocolate was laid out so beautifully and there is a wonderful assortment to choose from. The selection of Chocolates are from Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and other European Countries.

One important thing to keep in mind is when in the Yadkin Valley and you are trekking through our wine country this is a place that you need to visit first to gather your delectable treats to enjoy with the variety of wines you will experience.

Antique malls are rather like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get. Some antique malls are dirty and poorly lit, some are craft shops disguised as antique dealers, and some have the same pawed-over and over-priced merchandise that they had five years ago.

Fortunately for the thousands of would-be customers traveling I-77 through Yadkin County, the Antique Mall of the Foothills in Jonesville is one of the best antique malls you are likely to find. Located just a spit an’ holler from the interstate, this antique mall is clean, well-lit, and considering the fact that, according to the owner, they boast over 120 different vendors,thoughtfully laid out.

Occupying around 10,000 square feet—all on one level, which makes the entire store handicap accessible—Antique Mall of the Foothills has vendors selling old tools, jewelry, postcards and other ephemera, soft drink bottles (what we always called “pop” bottles), clocks, toys, records, furniture, advertising signs, books, records, coins, license plates, cookie jars, glassware—well, you get the idea. If it’s old and collectible, you are likely to find it here. In the back, in the corner (but not in the dark), I was amazed to find a rack of vintage clothing. Alas, I didn’t see that Nehru jacket I have been pining for, but you can’t have everything.

While waiting at the checkout counter, I casually flipped through their guest register and was again amazed (that word again—maybe they should change their name to Amazing Antique Mall of the Foothills) to see a comment thanking the staff for letting their dog enter the store. A pet-friendly antique mall? Yep, but I would think twice before I took my pet chimp in there (not to mention a pet bull, because they do stock some really nice china).

Best of all, not only is this mall pet-friendly, it’s human friendly, as well, with a knowledgeable, helpful and just downright professional staff. All in all, the Antique Mall of the Foothills is not only worth a stop, it’s deserving of being a destination in itself.

If they can somehow find me that much coveted Nehru jacket, I will be a very happy man.

Change is ever-present, and in the last forty-odd years, that change is very much evident in downtowns all across the USA. Elkin is no exception. Once upon a time, a visit to downtown Elkin could take you to big chain stores such as Belk, Rose’s, JC Penny, A&P and others. Once upon a time, there were three drugstores on Main Street, in addition to a hardware store and a pool hall. Once upon a time, you could watch once-upon-a-time features in the movie theatre. Today, the chain stores are all gone, most having joined the exodus to strip malls. The pool hall has vanished, the hardware store is history, and there is only one drugstore. The movie theatre, moribund for years, may be brought back to life, but only through a Herculean effort. Amazingly though, downtown Elkin has not only survived those changes but has embraced them. Downtown, having shed the corporations, is now home to independent business people, who are, by their very nature, fiercely independent and refreshingly eclectic. As I hope you can tell by my brief tour, Elkin offers many and varied pleasures for day trippers and residents alike. Without doubt, your first stop should be the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Center on Market Street is where you will find me. We are open Monday-Friday, and I can offer you many brochures of not only Elkin, but the surrounding area as well, all in hopes, of course, that you will stay a while. On weekends and in the evenings, you can visit the Jonesville Welcome Center, where the courteous and helpful staff will offer you the same personal service. Next to the Chamber/Visitors Center is the Habitat Home Shoppe which I visit frequently because there is always something new—and old– there. Down the hill a bit on Main Street, a good place to start (or stop!) is for some scrumptious gourmet goodies at Blue Ridge Chocolates. Or how about a great family portrait at Shutterbug Photography? You will find a wonderful little shop called Diana’s Book Store, where not only you can find books but many fascinating toys, gifts and of course great, great coffee and smoothies. I enjoy visiting Diana’s and I never leave empty-handed. Oh, almost forgot–she sells a line of Life is Good products, too. Brushy Mountain Winery is another great stop and their wines are delicious. If you are in the mood for antiques, you have two terrific choices, Dave’s Antiques and Old Times. Art from locals can be found at the Yadkin Valley Craft Guild, Sew Welcome, the John Furches Gallery, or if you like to create your own, visit Howln’ Wolf Creations, Circle of Friends Yarn Shop and the Sample Shop. I am not much on jewelry but I do own some and have had a piece custom-made for each time I went to Song’s Jewelry. Song’s sells charms to help you remember your great visit. Another jewelry store you will find along Main Street is Van Hoy Jewelers and next to that the fabulous Thomas Kinkade Art Gallery. Some other great shops are Ace’s Pawn Shop, Ivy Ridge Traditions (where you can find Vera Bradley bags), Hospital Thrift Shop, Plums (clothing store), Time Testers and Carol’s Wedding. If you desire a custom outfit, or even a wedding dress…above Brushy Mountain Winery is the designer Couture Design Group, and I have to say I own an original and get stopped every time I wear it. Wow, I am hungry after walking along Main Street. I often eat at local hotspot Harry’s Place, located on Standard Street. I must say my favorite is their fried pork chops with cream potatoes, greens and cabbage. Yum! Or I could visit Royall’s Soda Shop on Main Street. The building that houses Royall’s is where the first hospital in Elkin was located and later became a drug store. There’s great history to be found here. Royall’s has absolutely fabulous hot dogs and that wonderful old fashion treat, hand dipped ice cream. Yes, there is more there but that is what I usually eat. Can you blame me? Another excellent choice is Dave’s, where I could get everything from a hamburger to Mexican fare. Now, when I am on Main Street in the evening and want a fine meal, I go to Twenty One & Main. I have eaten numerous memorable dinners there, and in the Wine Bar upstairs, I have enjoyed many good times with close friends. As I hope you can see by my brief tour, while downtown Elkin has changed through the years, the entrepreneurial spirit has kept it alive and even thriving. So y’all come and see us sometime, and enjoy the adventure with us. It will be worth the trip, I promise. toric Downtowns are always a great place to visit and not only explore the quaint shops but to learn about the history.

Historic Downtown Elkin is one of those places. Elkin was incorporated in 1889 and after the rails came in 1890 the town was ready to start building and growing.